Pep Guardiola has compared Roberto De Zerbi to a master chef as he cooks up something “unique” with Albion.

The Manchester City boss believes his side’s trip to the Amex whets the appetite for their Champions League final against Inter and the FA Cup final versus Manchester United.

Guardiola said today: “It’s like a Michelin star restaurant, it’s unique.

“In Catalunya it was (top restaurant) El Bulli – (head chef) Ferran Adria the best cook for many, many years.

“He changed completely, completely, the cuisine.

“I think Brighton is playing with something unique, special.

“The way they move, the way they do.

“It’s a good, incredible challenge for us to prepare the two finals.”

El Bulli, on the Costa Brava, had three Michelin stars and Adria was hailed as “the most imaginative generator of haute cuisine on the planet” by John Carlin in The Guardian.

Guardiola said: "I congratulate Brighton on their incredible achievement to get into the Europa League.

"Pay attention to what I'm going to say because I'm pretty convinced I'm right - Roberto de Zerbi is one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years.

"There is no team playing in the way they play - it is unique. I had the feeling when he arrived in the Premier League that the impact would be great but I couldn't expect he would do this in this short a time.

"He creates 20-25 chances on average a game. He's better by far than all the opponents, he monopolises the ball in a way I haven't seen for a long. long time.

"Everyone is involved, the keeper is like a holding midfielder.

"They deserve completely the compliments and the success they have."